Hockey fans, unite! [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sal

10-01-2008, 11:54 PM

Hey all,

I've noticed an alarming lack of hockey related threads...although I'm sure things will pick up as the season gets going in less than a week. Before that happens, tho, any hockey fans want to talk pre-season or regular season predictions?? Come on in! I won a bet this summer that myself my broadcast partner and our techie made for the winner of the Calder in February. I picked Kane while Steve said Carey Price and Clint picked Toews...although Toews is now captain (weird), he didn't win the Calder! Anyhow, please post!

=PL=

And why is that...I wonder? Someone should launch some kind of investigation into that. I've got news for you. It won't pick up. You're dealing with a group that's roughly 90 per cent American here so if you want more hockey threads you'll have to start them yourself or wait for me or other fans to fill you in from time to time. I think the best solution is something that has been discussed before on these boards and that's to have separate message boards for each sport so that way you won't have to scroll through 45 pages of inane NFL and NBA talk before you find one hockey topic.

(Breaking News-lol-Kobe Bryant breaks a nail!! Full reaction to follow!) :happyface

How about it, TJ? Can you do this for us?

Now for some real hockey talk:

If you think Chicago making Toews their captain is weird, Vancouver named Roberto Luongo---their goalie!---captain yesterday. That's just insane!

The most exciting part of the new season will be monitoring the scoring race between Crosby, Ovechkin, and Malkin. Who would you pick first in your pool?

If we're talking goalies, my first choice would be Brodeur. He's still at the top of his game even though the team around him has become worse.

Another thing you have to like about the NHL is that there seems to be more great young talent than has existed in many years. Nearly every team has someone in their teens to early 20s that could become a future star if they haven't done so already. The best example might be Steven Stamkos of Tampa Bay, the early favorite for the Calder Trophy.

Finally, (at least for now) I disagree with those who said that there aren't enough great rivalries in the NHL. Let me give you a few examples:

Calgary/Edmonton
Detroit/Colorado
Detroit/Chicago (who will play Jan. 1 at Wrigley Field)
Chicago/St. Louis
Detroit/St. Louis
Toronto/Montreal
Toronto/Ottawa
Edmonton/Anaheim (the trash talking between their GMs is hilarious!)
Rangers/Islanders
Rangers/Devils
Devils/Flyers
Rangers/Flyers
Philadelphia/Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh/Washington (Crosby vs Ovechkin)
Vancouver/Anaheim
Boston/Montreal
Buffalo/Toronto
Boston/Rangers

Now some of these rivalries are simply geographical or traditional and tend to be a little friendlier than you'd expect while with others there exists pure, unbridled hate! Those are the ones I like best and the ones I'll watch more intently. It sure beats Nashville vs Columbus! :lol:

Wreckless

10-02-2008, 12:13 AM

spoken like a true philadelphia eagles fan brother :lol:

Oh wait this is a hockey thread...

:lol: def man, thanks.

lol yeah...

Mikado

10-03-2008, 01:48 PM

As i said, i'm a mod in an all hockey forum... if youd like details just pm me...And I hope this isnt against the rules, but, its a hockey only forum , so, theres no reason you cant join and post at SO too, cause its not in direct competition with SO ^_^'

Zebra 3

10-03-2008, 08:26 PM

Did you catch that preseason game against Detroit last night? 2-1 SO/OT
Now, if they can only beat the big teams when it counts that will be fantastic!! :thumbsup:
No, I usually don't watch any preseason games. That said, check out a EA Sports videogame producer talking about NHL 09's special Habs centennial team on YouTube: parts 1 (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=0AaqzJVE-MM#) - 2 (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=vSLjC-7Xz-M&feature=related) http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/290/hockeyno7.gif

Sal

10-09-2008, 04:49 PM

Well, the pre-season is finally over and the real season begins tonight! Toronto is in Detroit (CBC and Versus 7 pm) and much later there will be 3 other games involving teams on the West Coast.

So now that everything is in full swing, the predictions can begin. I don't know who will the Stanley Cup in the end, although it's tough to bet against Detroit at this moment, but I can tell you with great certainty who won't. That would be Ottawa, Tampa, Pittsburgh, and the Rangers, the 4 teams who just started the season in Europe a week ago. The full effects of that trip probably won't be felt until around February at the earliest, when I would expect them to tire a little sooner than anyone else and that should also show itself if they make the playoffs.

Other things to watch for:

Montreal will celebrate their 100th anniversary, highlighted by the 2009 All-Star Game and many pre-game festivities and special events throughout the year which will only get more tiresome and irritating as the season wears on.

America's favorite hockey mom Sarah Palin will drop the puck at Philadelphia's home opener on Saturday.

"Hockey Night In Canada" will have a new theme song after TSN wisely stole the old one. At least Don Cherry will be back, so everything will be alright with the universe again.

Detroit and Chicago will play an outdoor game in Wrigley Field on New Year's Day.

That's only a taste of what you can expect this season. I'll leave the predictions and pool picks to you for now and I'll chip in with my two loonies worth later this week during the long weekend.

GAME ON!!!!

Big C

10-09-2008, 05:17 PM

Who will be the NHL's worst team this year?

Wreckless

10-09-2008, 09:30 PM

The Kings probably..

greatestgoalie25

10-10-2008, 12:42 PM

And the Leafs make it 11 for 13 against the previous year's Cup winners. Fun fact.

Sal

10-10-2008, 04:36 PM

And the Leafs make it 11 for 13 against the previous year's Cup winners. Fun fact.

I enjoyed every second of last night's game. For me, it's the highlight of the season and the season hasn't even started yet. I hope it's a sign of more to come, but with the Leafs, you never know. Next up, the Saturday night home opener against the Habs. Those games are always fun and exciting and a great example of how hockey should be played and why it means so much to Canadians.

The one downer about last night? Two words: DEF LEPPARD!! Thank you, Mr. Commish.

(Gary Bettman: Genius at work.) :lol:

Wreckless

10-10-2008, 05:13 PM

Yeah, cool to see Toronto beat Detroit the first game of the season lol. Pardon me for using this word as a guy but ew, did anybody see & notice Matthew BARNABY is replacing that twit Melrose on Sportscenter's hockey segment each week lol. He wasn't bad his first segment/week or w/e but who is next, Scott Stevens then Bertuzzi? well nothing against those 2 guys, and all 3 are different players, but they could of picked another guy lol, not bad choice though.

Big C

10-10-2008, 05:21 PM

anybody see & notice Matthew BARNABY is replacing that twit Melrose on Sportscenter's hockey segment each week lol. He wasn't bad his first segment/week or w/e but who is next, Scott Stevens then Bertuzzi?

Yes.

http://www.atmos.albany.edu/student/eric/barnaby.gif

As a Sabres fan, I am very familiar with Mr. Barnaby.

Wreckless

10-10-2008, 05:30 PM

veggie-tari-jenn

10-10-2008, 10:27 PM

OMG I Love Hockey:) :D :) :D

Chicago Blackhawks fan.....GO HAWKS!!!!!.....cannot wait for their opener tomorrow:D.....also like the Toronto Maple Leafs:)

Sal

10-11-2008, 05:06 PM

This weekend sports wise works out perfectly for a schedule. Today Phils game, currently on. Tomorrow night, hockey in awhile, Flyers opener at home vs. the Rangers! Hella excited for that as well & can't wait. Eagles game sunday afternoon, phillies game 3 @ 8 sunday night, and so on and so on.

Wreckless,

When you watch the game tonight, pay close attention to the opening ceremonies. Sarah Palin will be there to drop the first puck as part of a "Hockey Mom" promotion that the Flyers are running. Knowing how vocal most Philly fans can be, I can only imagine the reaction she'll get tonight, but then, you might have to ask Solomon about that.

I'll be watching Canada's teams go at it tonight, Montreal vs Toronto. I hope it's as entertaining as the other night, yet I suspect the Leafs are in for another tough battle, and they'll need to bring their A game again to pull this off.

Have fun tonight hockey fans.

Wreckless

10-11-2008, 05:20 PM

I know I can't wait! Sarah Palin is so hot lol. She can drop the puck anyday, no pun intended. Enjoy tonight- thanks.

Zebra 3

10-16-2008, 05:20 PM

Here's a YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXNetpeu_mk) of Sarah Palin's frosty welcome in Philly. http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/290/hockeyno7.gif

Wreckless

10-16-2008, 05:26 PM

^ I know. That was hilarious lol. Palin is awesome though, she was a sport about it.

Mikado

10-19-2008, 03:26 PM

Habs are undefeated in games that didnt go to a shootout ;)

Mikado

10-22-2008, 01:10 PM

Sarah Palin is a HOTTTT "milf" ,but, as a politician, shes about as astute as Bettman is a life long hockey man! :rolleyes:

Wreckless

10-22-2008, 01:28 PM

Sal

10-22-2008, 03:17 PM

Flyers off to a bad start, but I'm not mad, panicking or throwing stuff at the TV :lol:. It is WAY too early, for any team doing good right now to think they have a shot, or any team that got a bad start to think they are done, when they are not & that is not true. I am def. not panicking and giving up yet! GO FLYERS.

Ditto for me and my Leafs...and for the guy in this cartoon as well. I know from experience EXACTLY how he feels right now!

http://www.dolighan.com/images/jpgs/sportsoct1808c.jpg

I wonder if we can use him for shootouts. :lol:

Wreckless

10-22-2008, 04:37 PM

:lol: :lol:

I love some of these cartoons lol.

10-22-2008, 08:39 PM

I'm a huge hockey fan and Center Ice subscriber.

The Rangers, Sabres, Canadiens and Sharks are off to good starts.

I'm happy my Thrashers are off to a respectable 2-2-2 and start. Sure beats the 0-6 from last season.

It will nice to see the Blackhawks on WGN this year. I'm glad they brought back Pat Foley.

Kyle Turris is my pick for the Calder.

I think it will be an original 6 teams final. Either the Rangers or Candiens vs. the Red Wings for the Cup.

Schmoopie

10-23-2008, 01:49 AM

I'm kind of "hockey illiterate" but my favorite team is the Everett Silvertips. They are a minor league team, I think. They have an awesome arena. They play mainly the smaller teams, like Kamloops (BC). I've heard that the 'Tips are more popular than the Seattle Thunderbirds! I've never even been to a 'birds game. I have been to lots of Dallas Stars games, though. That was SO cool when they won the Stanley cup!

Here's a website for the Silvertips:
http://www.everettsilvertips.com/

Andrea

Zebra 3

10-23-2008, 02:09 PM

http://www.dolighan.com/images/jpgs/sportsoct1808c.jpg

Sal

10-24-2008, 10:42 PM

:lol: :lol:

I love some of these cartoons lol.

Great! I'm glad to hear it. I've found another good one which for many of you might hit closer to home. Check it out!

http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/Dewar/2008/10/24/dewar.jpg

"Princess Palin" was in St. Louis tonight for the Blues/Kings game.

For those of us who like real action, all 30 teams will play tomorrow. Plenty of good matchups, including Leafs/Senators, Flyers/Devils, Detroit/Chicago.

Mikado

10-25-2008, 12:55 PM

Mikado

10-25-2008, 12:58 PM

Those cartoons were great! I almost feel badly for the Leafs....almost 9_9

TripperFan

10-25-2008, 04:07 PM

I think it will be an original 6 teams final. Either the Rangers or Candiens vs. the Red Wings for the Cup.

Geeez, you don't have the Leafs in there for contention? I'm SHOCKED! lol

Afterall, Sundin may just be coming back!

Watch it Mikey - there's talk about a 2nd team in Toronto! We'll have you Habs for dinner yet!

Wreckless

10-25-2008, 09:43 PM

Shouldnt you be rooting for the Devils??? :eek:

No, people from South Jersey primarily route for the Flyers, because Philly is closer to me, it's like 15 minutes, barely 15 minutes away, so it's closer then North Jersey. so primarily, philly & south jersey ppl route for the flyers and north jersey people route for the devils, along with some ppl from ny.

Speaking of the two teams, back to back wins for the Flyers! Yeah guys way to get it done.

Mikado

10-26-2008, 02:23 PM

Watch it Mikey - there's talk about a 2nd team in Toronto! We'll have you Habs for dinner yet!
If it happens, it would more likely be in Hamilton, the Leafs would never allow another NHL team to used the ACC.........Lasty night the Leafs won, and Montreal lost, must have been a Holloween gag! :p

Sal

10-26-2008, 04:25 PM

Last night's Leafs win gives them 9 points, which for the moment puts them only 2 points behind Montreal despite the fact that the Habs have been off to a blazing start until their loss last night. Could Montreal be peaking too early? Hmmmmm.... :confused:

On the other side of the standings, I think I have the answer to this question:

Who will be the NHL's worst team this year?

Now I'm not good at predictions by any means, but I can honestly say with a great deal of confidence that the worst team in the NHL (or at the very least in the bottom 3) will be the Tampa Bay Lightning, based on what I've observed so far this season. Why? Two words: Barry Melrose! The man is an idiot, plain and simple! I wouldn't be surprised if he was the next NHL coach to get fired. The Lightning made a lot of changes this season bringing in some good players by free agency and the draft and big things were expected of them, but instead they have bottomed out in a hurry. Wait until the World Series ends and then you'll see more changes in Tampa, with the first one being the coach.

Wreckless

10-26-2008, 07:47 PM

Flyers beat up on the Devils, there ya go Mike lol...jp man, Devils are a great team. Hopefully the Fly Guys can move forward from back to back wins! We'll see.

Mikado

10-29-2008, 02:38 PM

Montreal wins in the SO again! (I hate shoot outs but, i do have to admit, they ARE saving Montreal's @$$!!!) :shocked:

Mikado

11-02-2008, 03:02 PM

Montreal and TO , big 3rd period comebacks, last night (Yay Habs!!)......Montreal I get, but, WHAT is with the Leafs? (Who were supposed to be tanking this year)

Mikado

11-07-2008, 03:28 PM

:bump

TripperFan

11-07-2008, 03:56 PM

If it happens, it would more likely be in Hamilton, the Leafs would never allow another NHL team to used the ACC.........Lasty night the Leafs won, and Montreal lost, must have been a Holloween gag! :p

LOL - that's for sure!

Just going thru old email and cleaning it up when I found this and had a chuckle:

Dear Abby,

I am a crack dealer in Toronto, Ontario who has a steady flow of

customers from the nearby junior high school. My parents live in

a suburb of Brantford, and one of my sisters, who lives in

Calgary, is married to a transvestite.

My father and mother have recently been arrested for growing

and selling marijuana and are currently dependent on my other two

sisters, who are prostitutes in Barrie.

I have two brothers. One is currently serving a non-parole

life sentence in Kingston for the murder of a teenage boy in 1994.

The other brother is currently in jail awaiting charges of sexual

misconduct with his children.

I have recently become engaged to marry a former Thai prostitute

who lives in New Brunswick and is still a part-time "working

girl" in a brothel.

All things considered, my main problem is this: I love my

fiancé and look forward to bringing her into the family. I

certainly want to be totally honest with her. Should I tell her about

my cousin, who is a Toronto Maple Leafs fan???

Signed,

Worried About My Reputation

veggie-tari-jenn

11-10-2008, 03:35 AM

GO Hawks:p ....They are Having there best season since 2001/2002...:) :D ...Yipppeeee:cool: ....The season keeps getting better and better:)

Peace Love and Happiness
Please Recycle/Go Green!!

Jenn

Sal

11-10-2008, 01:33 PM

Geeez, you don't have the Leafs in there for contention? I'm SHOCKED! lol

Afterall, Sundin may just be coming back!

Watch it Mikey - We'll have you Habs for dinner yet!

Good Call! Although I'll bet you didn't expect to see it happen so soon. :lol:

Oh well, that should cut down on the Leaf gags for a while, at least until the two teams meet again, which won't be until January, and that's not soon enough for me.

Yesterday, neither team was in any mood to laugh since they were both licking their wounds from Saturday's 6-3 Leafs win. The Leafs lost defenseman Mike Van Ryn for at least a month with a broken finger and a broken nose and almost lost rookie Luke Schenn after he was taken into the boards when Andrei Kostitsyn tripped him but luckily escaped serious injuries.

The Habs will now anxiously await the verdict from the NHL to see what punishment awaits Tom Kostopoulos who delivered Van Ryn into the boards with a vicious and dirty check. I'm guessing between 3-7 games should be about right. They were also a bit miffed at former teammate Mikhail Grabovsky. All he did was score 2 goals, dominate the game along with his linemates Niklas Hagman and Nikolai Kulemin, and cause havoc around the net, allegedly butt-ending goalie Carey Price in the private parts, which made Saku Koivu mad enough to give him a nice little lecture near the end of the game. Well, then, if you're that upset about it, why not drop the gloves and belt him one right in the mouth? It didn't happen. I guess by that time, the fight had gone out of the Habs---but that's still no excuse.

Mikado

11-13-2008, 05:46 PM

TripperFan

11-13-2008, 05:51 PM

Tom Kostopoulos got 3 games but, he shouldnt have, it wasnt an intentional hit from behind, the tape clearly shows Van Ryne turning his back into the hit at the last second! (I can't argue with the 5 mins and a game he got; but, he shouldnt have gotten 3 extra games for an accident)

'come ON! I watched that play over and over and it was brutal. His back was turned long before. It's not the first time this guy has done it either.

Meanwhile, some justice, our guy's out for the season and he gets 3 lousy games. Big deal. He hasn't learned from the other suspensions, he won't learn from this.

Big C

11-13-2008, 05:52 PM

Thomas Vanek is the NHL's leading goal-scorer.

Wreckless

11-13-2008, 05:56 PM

Mike Richards is a BEAST.

And no, obviously not the Seinfeld guy.

Mikado

11-14-2008, 05:49 PM

'come ON! I watched that play over and over and it was brutal. His back was turned long before. It's not the first time this guy has done it either.

Meanwhile, some justice, our guy's out for the season and he gets 3 lousy games. Big deal. He hasn't learned from the other suspensions, he won't learn from this.
Spoken like a true Leafs fan Cathie :kiss:
But, if you look at the straight on view, you can clearly see Van Ryne turn his back to protect the puck, just as Kostopoulos throws the check; otherwise, it would have been 2 mins for boarding at best...even the TSN hockey panel guys (Well known Toronto "homers") Agreed that Van Ryne turned into the hit!

TripperFan

11-14-2008, 07:21 PM

Spoken like a true Leafs fan Cathie :kiss:
But, if you look at the straight on view, you can clearly see Van Ryne turn his back to protect the puck, just as Kostopoulos throws the check; otherwise, it would have been 2 mins for boarding at best...even the TSN hockey panel guys (Well known Toronto "homers") Agreed that Van Ryne turned into the hit!

Well, I'm going to hear what Cherry has to say about this! :snob: :eek3:

Your big brute Habs beating up my Leafs! hmmpff!

lol

Sal

11-15-2008, 12:18 PM

Well, I'm going to hear what Cherry has to say about this! :snob: :eek3:

Your big brute Habs beating up my Leafs! hmmpff!

lol

Yes! Another Leafs fan! Finally! :) :) Welcome aboard, Cathie! I think we'll get along real well.

I would like to point out that I agree with the fact that the check on Van Ryn (no 'e' at the end, by the way) was not intentional, but, because he did sustain a serious injury, the suspension should have been a little bit longer, like maybe between 4-7 games. Any longer than that would be too much.

Now compare that hit with the elbow that Ottawa's Jarkku Ruutu delivered a couple of nights later, against Montreal, ironically enough, and he only has to sit out 2 games for it, which is a joke. Fortunately, in this case, the Montreal player wasn't hurt too badly, but there is no question that the intent to injure was there. Ruutu made that fairly obvious after he left the ice and he looked like he was very happy with what he did. That part alone should have been worth at least 5 games.

In other breaking news, Tampa Bay finally gassed Barry Melrose after 16 games as coach (about 16 games too late, I say!) and have decided to take a big gamble :lol: by replacing him with Rick Tocchet.

Also, Brian Burke has stepped down as GM of the Anaheim "No-Longer-Mighty" Ducks, and, in Toronto, the countdown is now on as to how long it will be before he takes over the Leafs. I'm guessing the over/under will be about 10 days.

TripperFan

11-15-2008, 12:30 PM

Plueeeessse Bring Us Brian Burke!

This should be posted on the prayer thread!!! :lol:

Yah, I just don't understand the thinking when they're giving out these suspensions. Hey Sal, I see you're in Oakville - we're quite close - I'm in Erin Mills. :D

Mikado

11-17-2008, 03:02 PM

Yes! Another Leafs fan! Finally! :) :) Welcome aboard, Cathie! I think we'll get along real well.

I would like to point out that I agree with the fact that the check on Van Ryn (no 'e' at the end, by the way) was not intentional, but, because he did sustain a serious injury, the suspension should have been a little bit longer, like maybe between 4-7 games. Any longer than that would be too much.

Now compare that hit with the elbow that Ottawa's Jarkku Ruutu delivered a couple of nights later, against Montreal, ironically enough, and he only has to sit out 2 games for it, which is a joke. Fortunately, in this case, the Montreal player wasn't hurt too badly, but there is no question that the intent to injure was there. Ruutu made that fairly obvious after he left the ice and he looked like he was very happy with what he did. That part alone should have been worth at least 5 games. .
I 'm glad to see that a Leafs fan agrees the check on Van Ryne was accidental, but, with that, I can't understand why you still think it should have been a suspension; to me, the fact that there was no intent should mean no suspension...he already had a 5 min penalty and a game misconduct; not to mention that was the turning point in the game (Montreal never recovered from the penalty and lost the game handily!)...How much should he be punished for an accidental hit from behind?

Mikado

11-17-2008, 03:04 PM

Hey Sal, I see you're in Oakville - we're quite close - I'm in Erin Mills. :D
And Im just across the lake from you guys in Welland (On a clear day, you can see downtown TO from nearby St Catherines) :) (waves)

Mikado

11-17-2008, 03:07 PM

Now compare that hit with the elbow that Ottawa's Jarkku Ruutu delivered a couple of nights later, against Montreal, ironically enough, and he only has to sit out 2 games for it, which is a joke. Fortunately, in this case, the Montreal player wasn't hurt too badly, but there is no question that the intent to injure was there. Ruutu made that fairly obvious after he left the ice and he looked like he was very happy with what he did. That part alone should have been worth at least 5 games.
Well, I think 2 games was enough since our player wasnt badly hurt, although, I think the league should impose a large monetary penalty (a fine) ...perhaps $10,000 on Ruutu for his poor sportsmanship and lack of respect for the fans in Montreal!:mad:

Mikado

11-18-2008, 05:43 PM

Montreal is really having trouble scoring right now....I knew letting Streight go was a HUGE mistake!!! And Cary Price is playing more like Cary Bargain Price!!!!!!! :(

Mikado

11-20-2008, 04:41 PM

How about Buffalo letting a 4-2 lead in the second slip away and losing 7-4 to the Bruins? (I said the Bruins would be a much better team this year, i was right....unfortunately!)

Mikado

11-25-2008, 02:31 PM

Another Habs meltdown as O'Byrne puts the puck in his own net on a delayed penalty (Next time, just hand the puck to the other team, under the STUPID new rule, the play will start in the attacking zone anyway!) , allowing the Islanders to tie the game, and win in the shootout!

Sal

11-27-2008, 07:25 PM

Plueeeessse Bring Us Brian Burke!

This should be posted on the prayer thread!!! :lol:

Hey Sal, I see you're in Oakville - we're quite close - I'm in Erin Mills. :D

Dear Cathie,

Your prayers have been answered. As of 6 pm today, the worst kept secret in hockey is now official! Brian Burke is now the undisputed GM of the Leafs for the next 6 years, agreeing on a new contract just minutes ago. Feel free to celebrate any way you wish, although I would hold off until I see how they play tonight. That should be a good indication of who will stay and who will go---with the recent Lee Stempniak trade being only the beginning. Burke will not wait long to send his own message to the team and that is that losing on a regular basis will no longer be tolerated. Shape up or you're gone! Having said that, I'm hoping he keeps Kaberle. I'd make him the new captain and go from there.

11-28-2008, 06:19 PM

Brian Burke is one of the most overrated GMs in the league. He won one championship in Anaheim, but he has really left that team in ruins with the salary cap and their impending free agents. He's not even won that many playoff rounds, minus the 4 in the Ducks Cup year. Look at his career record and it's not that impressive. The Leafs are years away from being contenders.

Mikado

12-01-2008, 05:14 PM

Mikado

12-04-2008, 05:14 PM

Sal

12-04-2008, 05:35 PM

Now they are talking about changing the goalposts so that the puck goes in if it hits them...the post metal would be canted inwards! THIS IS HOCKEY, NOT BASKETBALL BETTMAN, THE IDEA ISNT THAT THE LAST SHOT WINS!!!!! :mad:
IMPEACH GARRY BETTMAN NOW!!!!!

Wait, let's not dump him so quick, not quite yet. Let's see how he handles the Sean Avery situation first, then we'll get him!

Sal

12-06-2008, 12:30 AM

Wait, let's not dump him so quick, not quite yet. Let's see how he handles the Sean Avery situation first, then we'll get him!

In case you haven't heard yet, Bettman has officially suspended Sean Avery for 6 games for his comments that he made earlier this week which, by now, have been all over the highlight reels and on YouTube. At first glance, 6 games may not sound like a lot but I have a feeling that this suspension pales in severity to what his own team, the Dallas Stars, will do to him. Already, there is talk that several of his teammates, most notably goalie Marty Turco, will not welcome him back inside the dressing room. If that's the case, then his NHL career will most likely have come to a sad and bitter end.

Sal

12-18-2008, 07:45 PM

Breaking news:

It's all over folks! We can all relax and breathe easily at last! Hockey's longest guessing game has finally, and some will say mercifully, come to an end. Mats Sundin has made up his mind and has now officially signed with the Vancouver Canucks after months of speculation. This summer, the Canucks had made him a huge offer, $10 million a season for two seasons. He rejected the offer and that signalled the start of a bidding war where many teams lobbied hard for his services but in the end the long wait forced most of them to back out. The announcement was made a half hour ago with the official press conference scheduled for 7:15 PM eastern time. So it's all done. Praise the Lord etc. etc. We now return to your regular programming.

Wreckless

12-19-2008, 04:10 AM

Jeff Carter > Sundin

oz615

12-22-2008, 07:18 PM

Hi,Nashville Predators fans her,seriously.

Mikado

12-22-2008, 10:12 PM

Well, we didnt get Mats, we lost Souray and Strieght...Gainey, are you actually DOING anything for that high salary????????????? (Mind you, DON'T try to get Avery!!!!!)

Sal

12-23-2008, 05:38 PM

Well, we didnt get Mats, we lost Souray and Strieght...Gainey, are you actually DOING anything for that high salary????????????? (Mind you, DON'T try to get Avery!!!!!)

I've heard Marian Gaborik's name in trade rumours as a potential target for Gainey but his high salary and injury history has so far scared off a lot of teams. With Sundin finally in place, Gaborik and Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk (who looked invisible last night vs the Leafs) will be among the prize attractions before the March 4 trade deadline. Now if Gainey wants to sleep through it and come away empty-handed, that will be fine with me. But something tells me he won't stand pat and neither will a lot of teams. Whatever happens, keep it here for more details!

TripperFan

12-23-2008, 06:08 PM

Dear Cathie,

Your prayers have been answered. As of 6 pm today, the worst kept secret in hockey is now official! Brian Burke is now the undisputed GM of the Leafs for the next 6 years, agreeing on a new contract just minutes ago. Feel free to celebrate any way you wish, although I would hold off until I see how they play tonight. That should be a good indication of who will stay and who will go---with the recent Lee Stempniak trade being only the beginning. Burke will not wait long to send his own message to the team and that is that losing on a regular basis will no longer be tolerated. Shape up or you're gone! Having said that, I'm hoping he keeps Kaberle. I'd make him the new captain and go from there.

Yah - let's see what happens. Hopefully Todd's post isn't too accurate (although I've heard others say he's overrated too). Hell - we're DESPERATE here!!! :lol: Leaf fans will take anyone who'll step up! I'd even say let's give the job to Pinball Clemens, although even our football team now isn't what it was!!

CURLING! THAT's our sport!!! We'll whomp yer ass at curling!!! :rofl:

Glad to see Avery got what he did - more than I thought he would! Good luck signing a deal now Seanie-boy! (or ever getting laid again for that matter!) ;)

Mikado

12-24-2008, 01:13 AM

Yah - let's see what happens. Hopefully Todd's post isn't too accurate (although I've heard others say he's overrated too). Hell - we're DESPERATE here!!! :lol: Leaf fans will take anyone who'll step up! I'd even say let's give the job to Pinball Clemens, although even our football team now isn't what it was!!

How about Mel Lastman, Cathie? "Who runs the Leafs? NOOOOOBODYYY!!" <<Inside joke for Torontonians

CURLING! THAT's our sport!!! We'll whomp yer ass at curling!!! :rofl: Get Brent Butt to play for you!

Glad to see Avery got what he did - more than I thought he would! Good luck signing a deal now Seanie-boy! (or ever getting laid again for that matter!) ;)
I think his punishment should have been to be tied to the net, and have a goalie wave a stick in HIS face! :lol:

Big C

12-24-2008, 01:21 AM

I'd even say let's give the job to Pinball Clemens, although even our football team now isn't what it was!!

Who?

TripperFan

12-24-2008, 01:24 AM

Who?
Are you kidding? You've really never heard of him? Didn't you start a thread about the CFL at one point? :confused:

Mikado

12-24-2008, 01:27 AM

Did you miss my reply to your previous post, Cathie? (It even includes Mel Lastman!) :D

Big C

12-24-2008, 01:34 AM

Are you kidding? You've really never heard of him? Didn't you start a thread about the CFL at one point?

I remember Doug Flutie from those Toronto teams.

As for that thread, nobody's responded to it!

Mikado

12-24-2008, 02:00 AM

Hey FSU, I havent been to Buffalo since the Sabres moved from the Aud (The new place is WAY too pricey for me), have you been in the new Arena? Is it as nice as they say?

TripperFan

12-24-2008, 02:10 AM

I remember Doug Flutie from those Toronto teams.

As for that thread, nobody's responded to it!

Yep - Loved Flutie too (even had some Flutie Flakes!) Michael "Pinball" Clemens was (I think) a running back with the Argos. He's just an amazing, upbeat person. So much so that when he retired from the game, he's made his way to head coach and a VERY respected man in these parts (southern Ont.). He makes thousands just as a motivational speaker on the side and works with kids getting them into sports and all. He's become a legend in Toronto really. I know it's football, but it sure would be nice to clone him for the Leafs! HA!

Mikey - oh yeah - sorry! I DID see that just after I posted and laughed my head off at it! Reminds me of a story I should post on your 225/226 thread! ;)

FSU - yah, I would have replied on that thread, but quite honestly, outside of a bit on the recent Argo franchise, (only because I used to work for one of the owners of the team) I really know dick about it. I know our fields are much larger than yours but the size of guys isn't there. And I know that the Bills are playing a couple of NFL games here this season which has been really popular. :)

Mikado

12-24-2008, 02:24 AM

Mikey - oh yeah - sorry! I DID see that just after I posted and laughed my head off at it! Reminds me of a story I should post on your 225/226 thread! ;)
Please do, Id love to have you post in 226 :)

Big C

12-24-2008, 02:35 AM

have you been in the new Arena? Is it as nice as they say?

Nope.

Haven't been back to Buffalo since my family moved to Wisconsin in 1994.

BTW, Mikado, sorry for what I said. It's just that I'm not a fan of your Canadiens- the Habs and Sabres have always bee hostile rivals since Buffalo joined the NHL in 1970, and have only two playoff series wins against them (1983, 1998)

Mikado

12-24-2008, 02:46 AM

Nope.

Haven't been back to Buffalo since my family moved to Wisconsin in 1994.

BTW, Mikado, sorry for what I said. It's just that I'm not a fan of your Canadiens- the Habs and Sabres have always bee hostile rivals since Buffalo joined the NHL in 1970, and have only two playoff series wins against them (1983, 1998)
:lol: No problem, I hate the Sabres too....or at least I cant stand Rick Generette ;) ...I did actually root for the Sabres the year that The Hurricanes "Cheap shotted" their way to the cup, by seriously injuring Saku Koivu and half the Sabres defence corps! (As much as I hate the Sabres , I wanted to see ANYONE take the 'Canes out that year!!!! ...I hate dirty hockey)

Sal

12-27-2008, 05:49 PM

CURLING! THAT's our sport!!! We'll whomp yer ass at curling!!! :rofl:

If you guys want to see a good ass-kicking in the making try watching the World Junior Championships on TSN. Both Canada and the US dominated their first games against some weak opponents, yet it seems to me that both teams are on a collision course toward the finals.

For those who had any doubts, John Tavares is the real deal. Three points last night and more to come. His linemates Angelo Esposito and Chris DiDomenico aren't bad either. This spells trouble for anyone who tries to get in their way, so watch out!

This means you, USA!

Wreckless

12-27-2008, 05:55 PM

Flyers are kicking everybody's asses...

2nd place, Rangers with 10 more games played then everybody else in the NHL :lol:, here we come!

Mikado

12-30-2008, 12:52 AM

Yep Sal, the Juniors tourney is the best hockey tourney , bar none....too bad about those Euro rules and refs though

Big C

12-30-2008, 05:55 AM

Flyers are kicking everybody's asses...

2nd place, Rangers with 10 more games played then everybody else in the NHL

Come playoff time, who should be goalie? Biron or Nittymaki?

Wreckless

12-30-2008, 10:14 AM

Come playoff time, who should be goalie? Biron or Nittymaki?

Good question. Definitely Biron. He has been sick with the flu the last week, so Nitty has been playing non-stop & every game in net, Brodeur style. Biron carried us and did a hell of a job vs. Montreal last year's playoff series, semifinals round and he is a starter, unlike Nitty. They are both on and off goalies, inconsistent and on and off like all of the Philly sports teams in town :lol: but I'll say Biron.

Chris, do you play any hockey video games? I'm looking for the best NHL game for the PSP. I had NHL '07 with Ovechkin on the cover, for the PS2 but it's horrible and I dislike it. I never tried (at least more then once) that Wayne Gretzky game for PS2. I wonder if that's any good.

Big C

12-30-2008, 10:42 AM

Biron. He has been sick with the flu the last week, so Nitty has been playing non-stop & every game in net, Brodeur style. Biron carried us and did a hell of a job vs. Montreal last year's playoff series, semifinals round and he is a starter, unlike Nitty. They are both on and off goalies, inconsistent and on and off like all of the Philly sports teams in town but I'll say Biron.

As a Sabres fan, I'm familiar with Biron. He carried them during the dark days post-Hasek and had 13 most consecutive wins in 2005-06 when Miller got hurt.

He can be dependable. The question is if Nittymaki will get hot ala Miller in his rookie year.

Wreckless

12-30-2008, 11:13 AM

As a Sabres fan, I'm familiar with Biron. He carried them during the dark days post-Hasek and had 13 most consecutive wins in 2005-06 when Miller got hurt.

He can be dependable. The question is if Nittymaki will get hot ala Miller in his rookie year.

Yeah, sound like the same situation here; Biron/Nitty, Biron/Miller as far as circumstances and chances to step in go. Btw, speaking of Dominek Hasek, Chris, do you remember the year he had 11 shutouts, it might of even been 12, but I'm pretty sure it was 11, and then goalie at the time for the Flyers, Roman Cechmanek had 10? That was a great battle. Usually you look at the scoring races, the MVP chase, or the goalie awards as far as fewest goals overall given up go, when it comes to hockey, but that shutout race between the 2 goalies that year was tremendous and unbelievable. I loved Cechmanek. I remember, it seemed like he had a shutout almost every time he started. Then when I looked over at the stats online for the NHL or saw in the paper, Hasek would inch him, even if Roman had a great couple of games. Just something I thought you and I both might remember, talking about Buffalo & Philly.

Big C

12-30-2008, 11:18 AM

Ah, yes. Cechmanek.

I thought he got a raw deal in Philly.

Considering that the 2003-04 team came within a game of the Stanley Cup Finals- did the departure of Cechmanek cost Philly a Cup?

I think so.

Wreckless

12-30-2008, 11:22 AM

Big C

12-30-2008, 11:31 AM

I agree. I didn't like that they let him go. I think it was cause we used the excuse of "he didn't win or wasn't a good or great playoff goalie, and didn't win us games leading up to a potential chance at winning the cup." He was great and will be a stupid move looked at by me.

Two reasons why I think he may have been sent off:

1. Some Flyer fans I have spoken too said it was that he let in bad goals

2. I think he once called his teammates out in a playoff series.

Speaking of Flyer goalies, I'm sure you remember Hextall, the super-talented goalie that, in terms of temper and anger, was as volcanic as Ramona.

Wreckless

12-30-2008, 08:34 PM

Two reasons why I think he may have been sent off:

1. Some Flyer fans I have spoken too said it was that he let in bad goals

2. I think he once called his teammates out in a playoff series.

Speaking of Flyer goalies, I'm sure you remember Hextall, the super-talented goalie that, in terms of temper and anger, was as volcanic as Ramona.

That's probably right. He seemed to and did have that kind of uptight personality, yet he wasn't that good in the playoffs at all as a goalie, so he shouldn't of been talking or criticizing anybody else on the team then. Yeah, Hextall was awesome. My Dad had a bird, shortly after I was born in 1988; who he called Hextall.

Volcanic as Ramona? :lol:. I guess so lol. But being passionate is coordinated with emotions and your sports teams, so that's what it's all about with us. If my tirades when the Eagles lose close, hard fought games or another team loses, prove anything, it's that I or anybody else is not afraid to express themselves, especially when it comes to sports.

Btw, I also have to mention Brian Boucher. He was great for a couple of years with us, early 2000s. He came back and played for the minor league affiliate Phantoms, then got traded to Calgary last year. It's also good to see Rick Tocchet coaching now as well.

Big C

12-30-2008, 09:32 PM

I or anybody else is not afraid to express themselves, especially when it comes to sports.

I'm just thankful the Phillies won the Series in Philly as opposed to a possible Game 6 on the road, given what I read in that thread.

BTW, I do agree with what you said about Bud Selig during the Series- he is the worst commisioner in the major sports.

Big C

12-30-2008, 09:35 PM

It's been two months since that infamous rainout.

I'll bet you laugh when you look back at that thread:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=235064&highlight=rain

Mikado

12-31-2008, 03:16 AM

Here's an article I wrote for the hockey forum where I'm a mod (and the most avid poster! :lol: ) , it's a short history on some of the changes in the game since the pre-WW1 era ; I thought I'd share it with you all here, hope you enjoy it. (And yes, I researched and wrote it myself ) :)

Today, everyone on this page likely knows the fundamentals of the game: 5 men and a goalie asside, centre lines, offsides, 3 periods, etc. But, when hockey was in it's infancy in the late 1800s, the game was at times completely different.

To start with, early on, the equipment was almost nil, most players had a pair of skates clipped onto their street shoes (via a clip and spring system), a sweater; short pants borrowed from their summer rugby uniforms and long socks to keep out the cold. For sticks, they either used a custom made hockey stick which resembled a cane, borrowed from the English game of field hockey, or, for those without the cash, a bent tree branch would do nicely; later, many players carved their own sticks out of ash or oak trees. (These later evolved into the wooden sticks most of us over 35 played with as kids). The puck started out as a hard rubber or wooden ball; but, in a pinch, a frozen cow patty worked just as well for a kid playing on the pond on his father's farm; later on, someone got the idea to slice a rubber ball (top and bottom) into a flat circle, perhaps to recreate the shot they got with that frozen cow patty, back on the farm. Goalies stood in front of two stones at first, they soon were replaced by two thin poles 4 feet tall, spread 6 feet apart (The dimensions of the modern goal), each with a small flag on top, the goal judge (or Umpire, as he was then called) would stand behind the net, and, when a goal went through the posts, would throw or wave one of the flags in the air. This was a dangerous job as the Umpire had to spend most of his time ducking pucks, players and even the goalies as the rules at this time allowed teams to GO BEHIND THE GOAL AND SCORE...GOALIES HAD TO COVER THE GOAL FROM EITHER SIDE!!!
(This practice would end when the posts would be strung with nets a few years later) Goalies at the time wore the same uni as the other players and, as in some pond hockey games you may have played as a kid, were allowed to skate across the ice and score if they had a chance (This was possible as they used a normal hockey stick, and wore no heavy padding or pads, at the time).

The rules have come a long way too, originally, the game was much like pond shinny as teams had as many as 11 players per team; however, when the rules began to be formalised, teams were now composed of 7 players aside:
Besides the goalie, there were like today, 3 forwards and two full-time defensemen (named the point, and counter-point...where we get the term "point shot" today); however, the 7th player was a specialised position called the roverThe rover was a player who played either defense or offense, depending on which side of the ice the play was in (Some old timers claimed that Bobby Orr didnt do anything new when he "invented" the "rushing defenseman", but simply had revived the rover). The Rover position would be eliminated in the eastern leagues (including the NHA/NHL) during WW1 due to the manpower shortage; but would live on in some western leagues until the late 20s.
At first, there were no lines in the ice, however, you couldnt make a forward pass and defensemen had to stay near the centre of the ice (only forwards and the rover could come in on the goal), passes were either latterals (like in Football), or back passes to your linemates , or to the defense who could ONLY shoot from the points! (Later the lines were added to the ice to ALLOW forward passes and SPEED UP the game!) In the net, goalies could only make saves while standing, there was a $2 fine for any goalie who "went down" to freeze the puck. (At this time, a 3 goals against average was considered amazing) Later, goalies began to wear cricket pads and were allowed to go down, bringing scores so low that in 1926-27, Montreal goalie George Hainsworth was able to record 22 shutouts in a 44 game season!!!

As you can see, the game has made some huge changes over the last 125 or so years! :)

A game in Montreal , during the 7-man era, note the goal posts and the fans litterally sitting at ice level; sometimes a player would purposely land in the lap of a pretty girl after being the recipient of a hard body check! :lol: